Columbjohn features in the Domesday book of 1086 and today this hamlet is a shadow of its former self. From 1486 there was a manor house here owned by Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon. The house was purchased by Sir John Acland in 1580 and he built a new mansion on the site of the old foundations with the current chapel consecrated in 1608.
During the English Civil War Columbjohn was a focal point for the Royalist forces but later fell to Parliamentarians, it is believed Oliver Cromwell stayed here in 1646. After the Civil War the Aclands moved to nearby Killerton and many of the buildings at Columbjohn faded in to obscurity. The only surviving structures are a gatehouse, this chapel and a cottage.
To find the cache head in to the churchyard where you will find a very elaborate grave that is in remarkable condition given its age. Substitute letters for numbers in the following:
Sir Thomas represented the County of Devon in four Parliaments between 181A and 183B and the northern division of the same County through four Parliaments from 183C to 185D. He died July 2F 187E. Do take the time to read the rest of the grave, it is a fantastic memorial and I have never seen one like it.
The cache is at N 50 47.ABC W 003 28.DEF and is a home made hide. The checksums are 26 for the north coordinates and 23 for the west coordinates.
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